The Nationals were expressing confidence during the Winter Meetings that they would be able to strike a contract with free agent slugger Adam LaRoche.

Over a week later no deal has been struck, but the Nats still feel pretty good about the whole thing.

According to beat writer Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post, manager Davey Johnson said on Wednesday afternoon that he’s been seeing “positive signs” that an agreement will soon be reached.

LaRoche hit .271/.343/.510 with 33 home runs and 100 RBI in 154 games this summer for Washington and won a Gold Glove for his defense at first base. He began the offseason hoping for something fairly long-term after such a productive 2012, but the Nationals and other teams have only made him two-year proposals. Maybe that’ll change for him after a few more big-ticket free agents find landing spots.

LaRoche, who turned 33 last month, is a .268/.338/.482 career hitter in the major leagues.

Davey being Davey. His glass is half-full, and his thoughts can be wishful sometimes.

There’s still no hurry. If Adam can get 3 years somewhere else, more power to him. Michael Morse isn’t a shabby alternative at 1B. If Adam can’t get 3 years, he knows he’s welcome in Washington. And Rizzo can see what he get for Morse. Too bad they can’t keep both, but that’s not feasible, now that Morse doesn’t have the LF slot available.